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Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries
Join columnist and garden designer Mary Stone in sharing Dilemmas, Delights, & Discoveries in the Garden of Life.
Episodes
270 episodes
Ep 270 - To Weed or Not Weed Knotweed
To weed or not to weed knotweed? An afternoon of weeding in a client's garden leads Mary to an unexpected dilemma—and a deeper dive into this beautiful but notoriously difficult invasive plant.Mary Stone revisits her first encounter with...
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Ep 269 - A Memory Trail Through Nature’s Fall Palette
A walk along the Paulinskill Valley Trail leads Mary Stone down a memory trail of beloved dogs, changing paths, and how we adapt through seasons. Memories of Sara—a tennis-ball-loving golden retriever who learned to play differently...
Ep 268 - Finding Our Way Again Along the Paulins Kill
A trail closure sends Mary Stone and her rescue dog, Jolee, in another direction for a restful walk along the Paulinskill Valley Trail, where late-summer wildflowers, remnants of railroad history, and the reestablished Paulins Kill River offer ...
Ep 267 - A Not-So-Peachy Gel Dilemma
From sweet peas and peaches as terms of endearment to squirrels stealing the only peach on the tree, Mary Stone starts this week's garden chat on a playful note. Then a jelly-like peach-tree dilemma leads to gummosis, Cytospora canker, peach sc...
Ep 266 - It’s Not Too Late to Plant Again, Sweet Pea
A neglected patch of vegetable garden, a disappointing spring harvest, and a few leftover seed packets inspire a late-season experiment—and a reminder that missed opportunities don’t always mean the season is over. Mary Stone revisi...
Ep 265 - Tending What We Can in the Garden of Life
Sometimes we can't tend to everything at once. Mary Stone shares her mission to manage the undesirable Mile-a-Minute weed and Japanese Stilt Grass, while heavy rains unexpectedly cleared the pond of favorable Duckweed. A...
Ep 264 - Another Lesson from the Leaf: Help Is on the Way
What happens when life tests the very lessons we hope to live?In this heartfelt episode, Mary Stone shares an emotionally difficult week that almost preempted the weekly chat. She invites listeners onto her screened porch, where a...
Ep 263 - Doing Nothing and Everything: Wisdom from Nature & Gardens
On a cool, humid summer morning from her screened porch, Mary Stone reflects on the richness of slowing down. From a modest vegetable harvest and the gift of one perfectly ripe cherry tomato to birdwatching, fledgling birds, wanderi...
Ep 262 - Beneath the Surface: The Mystery of the Missing Roots
A thriving rose suddenly becomes loose in the soil, revealing a mystery hidden beneath the mulch. What first appears to be Chipmunk Damage leads to a closer look—Voles, a likely culprit. Mary Stone explores the differences between M...
Ep. 261 – Treasures from the Warwick, NY Garden Tour
What makes a garden unforgettable? Sometimes it's a rare plant or a beautiful pond. More often, it's the people behind the garden.Join Mary Stone for a day exploring seven remarkable private gardens on the 32nd Annual Countryside Garden ...
Ep 260 - The Flag & the Knot – Growing Forward Anyway
A "quick" Fourth of July project turned into an unexpected lesson in patience, perseverance, and letting go of perfection. After years of waiting to paint an old flagpole, Mary Stone decides it's time to raise a new flag. What...
Ep 259 - What We Carry Forward in the Garden of Life
In this Fourth of July episode, Mary reflects on a Victorian berry spoon gifted by a friend's son, a family table and long-forgotten letter from her father, a dear friend's journey to United States citizenship, and the lessons unfolding in the ...
Ep 258 - The Gift of Noticing: A Dove Tree that Didn't Bloom
On a humid morning after a much-needed rain, Mary Stone reflects on the celebration of the life of legendary New Jersey gardener and friend Marty Carson.From stories of children helping to prepare the gardens to the remarkable tale of th...
Ep 257 - Love, Lovage & Treasures at Well-Sweep Farm
A visit to Well-Sweep Herb Farm in Warren County, New Jersey, leads to unexpected discoveries both in the garden and in life. Mary Stone shares highlights from a tour with third-generation grower Patrick McDuffee, explores the beaut...
Ep 256 - Lessons from Spiderwort and Crooked Trees
Join Mary Stone as she reflects on Spiderwort, a native plant growing in the wrong place; a conversation with a dear client; the wisdom of the song "Crooked Tree"; and a reminder that what appears flawed or out of place may have a purp...
Ep 255 - Growing Belonging in the Garden of Life
In this episode, Mary Stone shares an unexpected realization that emerged while revising her book proposal for The Lesson of the Leaf to Hay House Publishing. Along the way, she reflects on belonging, commitment, the wisdom of gardens,...
Ep 254 - Leave Room for Wandering: Unexpected Greenhouse Treasures
In this episode, Mary Stone shares a spring greenhouse adventure that begins with shopping for annuals and vegetables and turns into a delightful journey of unexpected discoveries.Along the way, she reflects on a bear emerging from a pat...
Ep 253 - Healing Beneath Mayapple: Skunk Cabbage Wisdom
Mary Stone shares reflections from a deeply meaningful weekend serving as a Big Buddy at Comfort Zone Camp for children grieving the loss of a parent or sibling to suicide. Through stories of Mayapple, Skunk Cabbage, Barred Owls, Ne...
Ep 252 - Edible vs. Ornamental Rhubarb — Kindness Helps Heal
This week, from the screen porch, Mary Stone shares reflections on edible versus ornamental rhubarb—both unusual, delightful, and deer-resistant additions to the garden. She also shares stories of rhubarb custard pie, overwintered parsley, bloo...
Ep 251 - A Changing Gardens Teaches What Belongs
What a Changing Garden Teaches - Finding What BelongsSometimes what we see as a problem is simply a message.While visiting a longtime client in Sparta, New Jersey, Mary Stone reflects on shifting conditions i...
Ep 250 - Weeping Cherry Dilemmas: Trees Tell a Story
A weeping cherry tree begins to “bleed,” revealing what lies beneath—from soil stress to planting missteps. Plus, seed-starting tips and a reflection on where we’re truly meant to grow. In this episode, I share what gummosis can tel...
Ep 249 - Living Mulch: Layering with Native Plants
Replacing mulch with living layers that nourish soil, support wildlife, and gently teach us patience.What if you could stop mulching—and let plants do the work instead?In this episode, we explore “living mulch” with nativ...
Ep 248 - Healing After Winter: In the Garden—and in Life
After a harsh winter, Mary Stone reflects on healing in the garden and in life—sharing spring pruning tips, plant care insights, and a humorous tale of “hotdog flies”—all woven with a gentle reminder to slow down, notice beauty, and make room f...
Ep 247 - Nothing Is Wasted: Leaf Mold, Mulch & Letting Go
As spring unfolds, I find myself reflecting on what remains, what falls away, and what—over time—returns to nourish us again.In this episode, I share a walk in the woods that took an unexpected turn, along with listeners’ questions ab...